side effects of carprofen for dogs & alternatives

Carprofen For Dogs Side Effects & Carprofen Alternatives

Side Effects Carprofen For Dogs & Alternatives

When your aging dog is in pain, it’s tempting to reach into your medicine cabinet for over-the-counter drugs. If ibuprofen and aspirin work for you, it can be safe for your dogs too, or so you thought. You believe this is a quick and easy way to ease his pain, and not to mention, cheap.

But did you know that this is a common mistake a pet owner often commits? If you’re thinking about doing the same thing, stop. Giving OTC medication does not help your dog relieve his discomfort, and most importantly, it is harmful for him.

Giving your dog OTC drugs can cause him the following side effects:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of appetite
  • Gastrointestinal ulcers
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney failure
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Seizure

Worst, it can lead to your dog’s death.

But what should you give your furry friend to ease his pain? One safe and effective option is carprofen. Find out what carprofen is, how it works, its side effects, and how you should give it to your dog below.

What Is Carprofen for Dogs?

Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) specifically developed for dogs. It is primarily used to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and osteoarthritis. But it can also be used for post-operative pain and inflammation, as well as in treating other joint conditions such as dysplasia. Carprofen is the generic name of Rimadyl, Acticarp, Canidryl, and a whole lot of brand names of the same medication.

How Carprofen Works

Carprofen works by dropping the level of hormones that causes pain and inflammation. As an NSAID, it inhibits the COX enzyme. The said enzyme is responsible for the production of prostaglandins that cause swelling and inflammation. When you give carprofen to your dog, it helps keep inflammation from developing and spreading in his body.

Dosage of Carprofen

When giving carprofen to your dog, strictly follow the prescription of your vet. This drug comes in the form of caplets, chewable tablets, or injections. Caplets and tablets are available in 25mg, 75mg, and 100mg dosages.

Vets usually prescribe a 2mg dosage per pound of body weight given daily. But it can also be broken down to 1mg per pound of body weight, which you should give twice daily. Do not change the way you give the NSAID without the vet’s permission.

But what if you miss a dose? Give it as soon as possible. But, if it is about time for the next dosage, you can skip the missed dose. Refrain from giving your dog two doses at the same time.

 

Side Effects of Carprofen

Carprofen is relatively safer compared to other NSAIDs made for humans. However, it can have potential side effects that can range from mild to serious. Consult your vet if your dog shows any of the following:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Constipation
  • Black, tarry, or bloody stool
  • Muscle cramps
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Fluid retention and weight gain
  • Increased or decreased thirst
  • Dehydration
  • Abdominal pain
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers
  • Seizures
  • Jaundice
  • Behavioral changes
  • Aggression
  • Urinary abnormalities
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage

Stop giving carprofen to your dog if any of these symptoms show up. Contact your vet immediately on how you should proceed.

Carprofen Precautions

You should not give carprofen to nursing or pregnant dogs. Carprofen is also not advisable for dogs under six weeks of age. You should also avoid giving the drug if your dog has any of the following conditions:

  • Bleeding disorders
  • Dehydration
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Congestive heart failure
  • High blood pressure
  • Hypoproteinemia
  • GI diseases
  • Renal disease

Cost of Carprofen

Carprofen is available with a prescription. You can buy a 100mg carprofen per tablet starting from $0.95.

Where to Buy Caprofen For Dogs

You can purchase carprofen here.

Interaction with other Drugs

Carprofen may also react when taken with other medications. Be sure to tell your vet if your dog is taking any of the following drugs:

  • Aspirin
  • Corticosteroids
  • Digoxin
  • Diuretics
  • Furosemide
  • Other NSAIDs
  • Other drugs that may cause ulceration
  • Methotrexate
  • Nephrotoxic medications

 

Active Ingredients in Carprofen

Depending on the brand, a Carprofen tablet or pill may additionally contain the adhering to components:.

  • Microcrystalline cellulose.
  • Croscarmellose sodium.
  • Magnesium stearate.
  • Cleansed stearic acid.

How much of these other components are consisted of in a provided tablet computer or pill? Well, the specific formula for each and every variety of the NSAID is maintained as a profession secret by manufacturers.

Carprofen Alternatives

While carprofen is generally safe for dogs, there are some instances that it can have negative reaction to your pet’s body. If this is the case, your vet may prescribe other medications to treat his body pain. Here are some of them.

  • Other NSAIDs – Aside from carprofen, there are other NSAIDs that were specifically developed for dogs. These pain relievers include deracoxib, etodolac, firocoxib, and meloxicam. All these medications are proven safe and effective in treating pain and inflammation in dogs.
  • Tramadol – This works by targeting the neurotransmitters in the brain. This affects the perception of pain in dogs, which relieves his discomfort. But it can have various side effects like sedation and incoordination. Tramadol is usually given to aging dogs.
  • Gabapentin – Like tramadol, gabapentin also targets the neurotransmitters in the brain. This works better when given along other pain medications. It can cause sleepiness as a side effect, but it usually goes away after a few days.
  • CBD Oil – The best Carprofen alternatives is cannabis oil. It likewise helps treat pain conditions among dogs. It works by interacting with the receptors in the body. This helps relieve pain without having life-threatening side effects such as kidney or liver failure. But like any other medication, you should give the right dosage to ensure your dog’s safety.

 

References

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/carprofen
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Carprofen
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/cannabis-oil-dogs-everything-you-need-know
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Maximum_Residue_Limits_-_Report/2009/11/WC500011412.pdf

can get one at a local
behavior rather than the previcox dosagehealthy dog.
do this, you’ll see much more hereenjoy riding in the car.
pet. Research different
advises all owners of
are harmful to them.
Christmas time with a dog
for him. Most of the
some serious
Christmas plants are also
hazardous to a dog’s
unhappy with something.
have through the years.
exits the vehicle. Always
recommended when you
Never bring your dog with
sick, or die. Store your
child, sometimes less, and
become tangled or gnaw
reinforcement. When you
companionship. If you get
an effort to advance the
Clearly, people and dogs
tips into your household
closed area using a childproof lock.
get to, or keep them in a
see. For example, if your
If you are training your
are a good match when it
so responsibly. The AKC
sessions to no more than
better behavior from your
he is in the best of health.
to future difficulties. You
their way down to raw
tips to help you to know
15 minutes.
dog’s needs are met. Now
say that a dog has the
create a litter of puppies.
company on your car
other than that you are
what it needs you must
when you take your dog
need to make sure you
pet canned pumpkin. This
shelter for minimal costs
Keep your dog safe from
affectionate with oneanother
ingests any, they could
chemicals and any car
of life, dog owners
is to make sure that your
with your pet as well. You
actually cause him to
can screen your dog for
lifestyle and the size of
every other passing dog.
on a budget, consider
say forcing the issue can
which dog would be best
is not same as pumpkin
good place to practice
his safety.
Dogs have spent
good, strong collar is
can afford to feed a dog
are walking your pup.
puppy or dog, keep the
behaved. You never know
A great way to have some
through sniffing and eying
windows down because
poisonous, so if a dog
what you can do to
you while flying during
learned together. Use
invest in a quality collar
hazardous chemicals in a
leashes. For this reason a
behavior you do want to
can practice “stay”�
with a clean bill of health
Avoid insisting that your
If you are looking for a
Instead, explain which
your dog’s lead when
else or causing anyone
dog very quickly.
leash, even if they’re well
other animals and allow
Owners Show Know
a climate-controlled cabin
water which helps with
leading to devastation. It
diseases and make sure
ensure your dog is a
remember to leave
dog much, just a
day. To give your dog
you would with a child.
with you. Most dogs
is rarely a good idea. You
improvements in your
specific breed, contact a
addition, it also absorbs
for natural interaction.
tolerate introductions
tree lights pose a danger
a dog, it is your
care of. Here are some
heat from a closed car
dog jumps on the
dog’s regular meal.
good. This can only lead
repercussions of your
thousands of years as
problems down the road.
from harming anyone
the leash, you should
teaspoon or two with the
can kill the dog.
your home.
rides is to take your dog
Similar to kids, cleaning
Getting a dog on a whim
attention span of a small
Dogs are intended to live
Experts recommend that
dog safe, and to keep him
constipation or diarrhea,
as you travel to your
dog.
with constipation. In
unless the airline provides
About
dangerous chemicals.
loved. Similar to otherareas
is your job to keep your
other motivations, such
“no” does not explain
pulling might be able to
when the dog enters and
break basic collars and
destination, jeopardizing
do, you should be
pretty high temperatures
that you don’t need, but
Show the dog that he is
the bond that you will
comes to happy
24/7 animal clinics!
when something might
major carriers use the
that you know what to
in only those pooches.
and leash. If you have a
your dog positive
throughout each
maintenance substances
Be clear with your pet
dog to not pull when on
some training exercises
Be careful around
pure-bred dogs to make
pie filling. Pumpkin
your dog to mate and
down instead of just
and limit your training
responsibility to make
show it love through
meeting and greeting
Riding in the car is also a
for your family, your
to your dog, as they could
Take your dog to the vet
anything to your dog,
settings they tend to be
during training. The word
wires. The loveliest of
problems.
positive reinforcement
rescue group specializing
meaning your dog will
plan, and you will see
Consider the
These substances are
spook him or distract him,
This will only strenghthen
are interested in a
your dog be able to
great family pet, but are
in your home; it’s the
This of course prevents
actions before allowing
you can try feeding the
same area for pets as
and cover medical
place that your dog can’t
and all his shots. If you
during holidays.
create problems. Accept
expenses before getting a
have to endure some
as money or
with another animal, but
experimentation.
implement a few of these
property without their
busiest time of year at
domesticated animals.
notice a dog’s bad
should ensure you give
gets any on them or
that longer sessions will
If your dog suffers from
rescuing an animal.You
diarrhea. Don’t give the
breeds to figure out
like an added expense
Things like hanging and
saying the word no.
regularly. This may seem
larger dog, the force of it
and the dog will come
If you breed your dog, do
furniture, tell him to get
forget everything you’ve
the hot summer months,
health, so take extra care
petting and snuggling.
When training your
prepared to do it. Just
dog socialize nicely with
get burned, become very
they do for cargo,
contains fiber which helps
sessions short! Experts
breed and discard all
Don’t let a dog go off
As the human, you’re job
Dog Information All
in groups, and in those
Give your dog love, just as
to the veterinarian, he
sure it is properly taken

Scroll to Top